Venetian blind bracket and extension mounting means therefor



Feb. 21, 1950 H. B. CHATFIELD 2,498,068

, VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET AND EXTENSION MOUNTING MEANS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 Filed April 21, 1948 Feb. 21, 1950 B. CHATFIELD 2,498,063

VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET AND EXTENSION MOUNTING MEANS THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1948 4 w 2 0 0 m o 5 A m n ml a E m" {ii TI. 0 M 1: ,.1: 0 1.1L) limnu l 5/ 42%| d 04% IIJ L. Z OM 6.. 5 J I l {HQ 7F 4 v a INVENTOR.

Patented Feb. 21, 1950 VENETIAN BLIND BRACKET "AND EXTEN- SION MOUNTING MEANS THEREFOR Henry B.'ChatiieldyCleveland, ohimassignorto TheGuar-antee Specialty Manufacturing cumpany, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation ApplicatioirApril' 21, 1948fSeri2tl-N0. 22,439

13ClaimS-. (Cl. 248-264) My presentinvention relates to Venetian blindbrackets of the type adapted" for supporting Venetian blind structure at'either end 'thereof ior mounting adj acent" a window'or the r like, and

more parti'c'ularly'my invention relates to the provision of attachable extension bracket'means for such Venetian blind bracket structure:

Inthe installation of Venetian blinds it is quite common to provide'a bracket member at each end of the blind; which-"bracketsare directly mounted to' adjacentportions or the window frame or other frame structure adj acent which the Venetian blindis to be'*1ocated.' These brackets include means for supporting the "head rail of the Venetian blindjand in many instances also include a carrier or support for a facia board or valance. Under some: conditions" of installationof Venetian 'bIindunit's; the supporting bracket members which directly carry the "Vene tian blind structure" 'cannotbe directly mounted to the window frame or other structure adjacent which the Venetian blindis 'to be located, and it is necessary in th'o'se cirbumstancesto use *an'ex tension bracket 'of some sort for "directly mounting to the window frame 'or'like structure to whichthe it above mentioned- Venetian blind: supporting bracket ybe attached;

Heretofo're' the use of such'extension bracket in connection with the main Venetian blind sup portingbracket'ha's required that the attachmentbeeffe'cted by means of bolting the extensionand main bracket together, or the use "of someothersimilar type of fastening :means.

It is a principal object of my present invention to provide an attach'ableextension bracketwhich may be" readily attached tothemain- Venetian blind supporting bracket Without theuse-of intermediate fastening means such'as belts or the like.

Another objector my invention is to-provide an attachable' extension: bracket'for Venetian blind supporting bracketswhereby 'the extension:

may be secured to the:mainsupporting'bracket either detachably'or more or less permanently without the use 'ofspecial toolsr Y A special'object ofthe invention; of course; is to provide an extension bracket which is quickly attachable to=the 'main supporting bracket.

still'another objector my invention is to provide an attachable extension bracket especially designed for cooperation with a main supporting .I' brackets.

Other objects, advantages and features of my invention will become apparent from-the following detail description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; 'in' which? Figure 1 is a side view-'ofthe maiuvene'tian blind supporting bracket of my invention; alone, looking toward the'inside thereof and'with the Venetian blind head rail means-omitted:

Figure 2 is area'r 'end-viewofthe'main bracket shown in Figure 1, looking toward the right side of Figure 1.

Figure-3 is a side elevation, similar to-Fig'urel, but showing the attachablehead-"rail supporting means in attached. relation to'the main support ing bracket;-

Figured is a view similar toFigure-E, showing the main bracket'andalsdshowingthe exten sion bracket of my present invention as when-being assembled or attached tothe'main bracket, showing the intereng'aging portions of the main and extension brackets partially interengaged and illustrating the mannerin which theattaching interengagementis effected:

Figuresb and 6 show themain bracket and extensionbracket-'structure-of Figure 4 as when" the sameare fully assembled-in-attached' relation, Figure 5 being'a'top view of thisstructure; and Figure 6 being a side-elevation similar-to Figure' i.

Figure '7 is a sectional taken-onthe-"line it-lof Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspectiveviewof the extension bracket of myinventio'm:alone,:-of the structure illustrated in Figures 4 to "7.

Figure 9 is a partial side elevation ofthe main supporting bracket alone, looking toward the opposite side of the structure from -that shown in Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a view similar'to Figure 4,-but' form of main bracket, Figure 12 being also il lustrative of the manner in which this form of extension bracket cooperates with the form of main bracket shown in Figure 10, in fully assembled relation.

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view looking rightwardly in Figure 12 toward the lower end of the rear flange of the main bracket, parts being shown broken away, illustrating the locking co operation of the locking lug of the extension bracket with the recess in the lower end of the rear flange of the main bracket.

The attachable extension bracket of my present invention is especially designed, as to one of its forms particularly, for association with a main supporting bracket equipped with an attachable head rail supporting means of my invention, which, together with its manner of association with the main supporting bracket, forms the subject matter of claims in my copending application Serial No. 22,437, filed April 21, 1948, for Venetian blind brackets. I will therefore first describe the main bracket and attachable head rail supporting means so that the manner of association of my novel extension bracket therewith will be better understood.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiment of my invention in conjunction with a Venetian blind supporting bracket having a pivoted or movable front facia supporting member or clip.

Now referring more specifically to the drawings, the main Venetian blind supporting bracket member generally designated by the numeral 1 comprises a main body portion 2 having a rear flange member 3 offstanding inwardly from the main body portion 2 at substantially a right angle thereto. A facia board supporting member generally designated by the numeral 4 has a main body portion 5 having an offstanding front flange portion at the front edge thereof offstanding inwardly at substantially a right angle to the main body portion 5 of the facia holder 4, the front flange portion being designated 6. The facia carrier or holder 4 is also provided with rear flange portions I and 8 at the top and bottom thereof spaced rearwardly from the front flange portion 6 and disposed at substantially right angles to the main body portion 5. The facia holder 4 also includes a bottom or supporting flange 9 likewise disposed at substantially right angles to the body portion 5. The facia holder 4 is an integral member with the flange portions 6, T, 8, and 9 formed integrally with the main body portion 5, the flange 9 being a downward extension of the body portion 5 and bent at right angles thereto, and the flange portion 8 being a rearward extension of the flange portion 9 and bent at right angles thereto. The body portion 5 of the facia holder includes a rearwardly extending portion 50, extending rearwardly of the flange portions 1 and 8 and the facia holder 5 is pivoted to the main body portion 2 of the supporting bracket l by means of a pivot pin 10 passing through the rearward extension 5a of the facia holder.

In the closed position of the facia holder 4, shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, the rearward extension 5a lies against the inner side of the main body portion 2 of the supporting bracket I, the flange portions 1 and 8 are disposed adjacent the front edge of said body portion 2 and the flange portion 6 is disposed somewhat forwardly of the front edge of the body portion 2 of the main supporting bracket I.

Cooperating locking means are provided on the facia holder 4 and the main body portion 2 of the supporting bracket 1, said locking means comprising an outstruck projection H on the rearward extension 5a. of the facia holder intended to cooperate with a dimple or aperture [2 provided in the body portion 2 of the main supporting bracket I. To facilitate the closing action of the facia holder, in reference to engagement of the projection l l with the main body portion 2 of the main supporting bracket I, the latter is provided with a flared depression l3 leading from the front edge of the same toward the opening or dimple I2 and flared outwardly toward the front edge of the body portion 2, so that in closing of the facia holder the projection ll engages smoothly with the depression portion 13.

The rearward extension 5a of the facia holder 4 is strengthened by the provision of a longitudinal rib [4a.

The Venetian blind head rail or head bar supporting means comprises an integral member fabricated separately from the main supporting bracket I, the head rail supporting means being generally designated l4 and seen best in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. This integral or unitary head rail supporting means is pressed out of a single piece of metal and comprises a generally vertically disposed main bracket engaging portion 15 and a generally horizontally disposed shelf or head rail supporting portion i6, the shelf portion [6 being bent at substantially right angles to the portion l5 in the forming operation. At the upper or free edge of the bracket engaging portion Hi the same is provided with hook portions 15a, I51), and We which are adapted to engage over the upper edge of the main body 2 of the bracket member I, as seen best in Figures 5 and 7, for supporting the member it upon the bracket member I. Cooperating locking means are provided on the member [4 and the main bracket member for locking the member It in proper position on the bracket member I. Said latter locking means comprise the locking member or projection l1 bent inwardly from the bracket engaging portion [5 adjacent the rear edge thereof and adapted to interlockingly cooperate with a locking member or lug l8 bent inwardly from the rear flange 3 of the main bracket 1. This locking lug l8 extends from the rear flange 3 at an acute angle to the plane of the main body portion 2 and the lug l8 has a downwardly extending portion [8a formed by cutting away the metal rearwardly thereof between the same and the flange 3.

Thus, when it is desired to attach the head rail supporting member M to the main bracket l, the hook portions I5a, I51), and I50 are engaged over the upper edge of the body portion 2 of the main bracket l in the manner shown by Figures 3, 5, 6, and 7, but with the member 14 disposed forwardly of the position there shown. When the hook portions of the member 14 are engaged over the upper edge of the body 2, the member I4 is then slid rearwardly to the position shown in Figures 3 and 6 in the course of which operation the locking member or projection 11 will engage and press inwardly the portion 18a of the locking lug l8 until the member l1 passes rearwardly of the portion I8 and is locked therebehind when the member 14 is finally positioned as in Figures 3 and 6 due to the spring action of the metal of the lug l8 which tends to restore the latter to its original position slightly farther toward the main body 2 than the extreme inner edge of the projection l1, upon the slight inward pressure 'of the memberl1 exerted upon the: portion [8d of the lug' l8,"being relieved-after projection l 1 passes behind the portion 18:2;

The attachable head rail supporting means l4 of 'my invention may be provided with'one or more apertures ZBfor registry with similar aperframe or the like upon-whichthe Venetian blind with apertures-for receiving screws or like fasteni-ng means adapted to secure thehead rail of avenetian blind to the head rail supporting means i 4.

Shelf portion i5 also provided with a struck up'short projection 23 adapted to initially position the Venetian blind head rail in supporting engagement with the-shelf portion It. When the bracket assembly has been mounted in place to the window frame, the Venetian blind head rail is *laidin place on the shelf I6 supported thereby and the projection El /caused to penetrate thewood of the head'rail'for initial positioning of the head railon theshelf member it, after which the head rail may be permanently secured-tothe shelf is by means of screws inserted through'the apertures and screwed into the head rail.'

a whole is to be supportedythe"particular aper tures to beemployedfor the. purpose beingrde= 5:: pendent :upon the? particular conditions of the installation.

It' will be .noted'that thewvertical or main" bracket engaging portion I 5 of the head rail supporting: member is" is formed with inwardly. pressed portions l9 and 19a intermediate the-r hook portions I5!) and I50 and intermediate the hook portions i511 and 852). These inwardly pressed portions I 9 and 19a are spaced inwardly sion bracket zsto-the-main bracket I, the depending legs29'and seer the'extensionbracket 2520f attaching the extension bracket 2-4, the latter Theconstruction thusfar described forms the sub ect matter of my copending application Serial'No. 22,437, above referred to. I now'come to a description of the" attachable extension bracket and its mannerof association with themainsupporting bracket which comprises the particular subject matter of my present inven tion'. I will first describe the construction ofextension bracket as shown-in Figures; to-18 in clu'sive.---

As seen best in Figures 4 and 8, the extension bracket generally designated by thenumeral 24 comprises a main body orplate member 25 which is formed at its forward and rearward edges with oifstandin'gflanges 26-and 2?, "respectively; ex-

tendinginthe same direction from the main body or "plate- 25=-at right angles thereto. The 1 member Z iis also provided with a top or-ceil ing mounting fiange zs extending from the top.

edge of-the body ZE'inthesame direction therefrom as the flanges 126- and--2l and disposed at substantially right anglesto the planeof the main-body-25i The-flange -28 has a portion 28a which extends forwardly of the front or forward" edgeof the main body p01'ti'on25'." Formed integrally with the portion-28d are the depending legs ttl and 3ddoWnwardlyextending-from the outside edge of the-flange portion sea at sub-V stantially right angles thereto.- The depending leg 33 may be -"a relatively short leg; as shown;

while the leg" ZQ i's preferably relativelylonger and is-formed adjacent its :lower endwithvone'.

or-more locking lugs 3i Jformed by cutting out a portion'ofthemetal of the "leg-26 m form the;

slots indicated at 32.

The-lower portion of the flange 253s separated" from the' body portion 25 and bent forwardly at substantiallyright angles .to the remainder. of the flange ZEi tofOrmth'e latch or lcckinglug 33.

The extension bracket ti l-is provided [with aperturestdl-in' the mainbody- 25, apertures in; therearfiangeii'l; and: apertures 357m top flange '28, 'these apertures being provided for the means for attaching the sextensionlbracketsto isinitiallypositioned as shown in -Figure 4, the leg ZBbeing'inserted in the'channel formed be-: tween the rib i9 and the-main bracket 1, and the extension bracket 24 cocked slightly relative to :;the main bracket i. In this position the forward edge of the lug 33 engages the rear flange 3 of themain bracket I, andas the extension bracket 351m 340,- inthe rear flange 3 oithe'main bracket M is moved downwardlyrelatively-tattle main 1 bracket l, the lug 33 is causedtoenterthe open- 5 when the-extension bracket 2 "has been'moved downwardly relatively to the: main bracket I sufficiently for this purpose; At that ftimfii the parts will assumethe position illustrate'dtby;Fig-' More 6, with the lower locking lug 3! on the leg?" 29.;disposedbelow the shelf. portion :15 of the head raillsupporting means M, and the-:leg 30" receivedin the channel formed between therib 59a and the main body 2 of the bracketl; The 5 lug 33 =is-positioned in such manner :that when a the legs 29 and30 are'fully received in the channels formed by the ribs is and Him the lug 33- will engage the upper edge of the opening 3t:-

The'metal forming the bracket fZ l'toprovide' the locking'lugstl and133 has sufficient resiliency to permit yielding actioncf the lug 33 as it enters into the. opening 34 and thereafterresiliently engages the upper edgeof said opening.

For ensuring against accidental displacement of the parts when' assembled'in'the positionillus tratediin Figure 6, the lowermost lug-3i on the" leg' ZBmaybedisplaced from'thenormal plane I of the leg-so as to cause the same to engage the lower side of the shelf ltof the head rail sup- 0 porting member lfl4,'fl-S shown in 'Figure'G. When the extension bracket there shown, it isto be noted that the top flange portions 28and28'd are disposed adjacent the upperedgeof themain bracket 5.

to the .main' bracket '1 will cause or enable the bracket.

For the purposes of attachment of the exten is in the attached relation In detaching the extension bracket N-f-rom the main bracket i, the lower lug 3! maybe again disposed inthe normal plane of the remainder of the legxand the extension 'bracket'z l "asa whole cocked slightly counterclockwise-to withdraw the-- lugtt fromzthe'opening ta,whereupon:upward movement: of the'extension bracket: 24 relatively Now referring .tothe. modified :constmction:

shown in Figures 10 and 11, the main bracket 1 i is practically the same as that previously described except that the rear flange 3' is shorter and extends downwardly only to approximately the point at which the lower edge thereof may be engaged by the locking lug 33' of the slightly modified form of extension bracket 31. This extension bracket 31 is similar to that previously described, having the front and rear flanges 2 and 21' and the top or ceiling mounting flange 28'. However, this construction has four depending legs 38, 39, 40, and 4| extending downwardly from the outer edge of the forwardly extending flange portion 28a.

This construction is designed especially for cooperation with the slightly modified design of head rail supporting member 44' shown in these figures. The depending legs 38, All, and 41 are disposed in a common vertical plane, while the depending leg 39 is disposed in a parallel plane outwardly of the plane of the other depending legs, whereby the depending leg 39 is adapted to extend outwardly alongside the outer face of the main bracket I while the legs 1%, 40, and H are adapted to extend inwardly of the main bracket l' in engagement with the inner face of the body portion 2, when the extension bracket 3? is assembled in attached relation to the main bracket 1.

The head rail supporting member l4 shown in these figures is similar in all essential aspects to the head rail supporting member previously described, except that it has slightly difierent shape and is cut out at its rear edge to enable the leg 4| to be received between the rear flange 3' and the rear edge of the vertical portion of the head rail supporting member M with the leg ll in engagement with the inner surface of the body 2 when the parts are assembled in attached relation.

When the parts are assembled as shown in Figures and 11, it will be understood that the legs 38 and 40 are respectively received in the channels formed between the ribs !9 and 19a and the main body portion 2, in a manner similar to that previously described in reference to the legs 29 and 30 of the extension bracket 24. However, in reference to the assembly of Figures 10 and 11, the depending leg 39 will be disposed outwardly of the main bracket 1 and engage a downwardly extending portion of the adjacent hook part of the head rail supporting member i l. The bottom edge of the flange 3' and the main bracket l is provided with a recess or cut-out portion receiving the locking lug 33 when the extension bracket 31 is assembled in fully attached relation to the main bracket 1'. The bottom recess in the rear flange 3 receiving the lug 33', as best illustrated in Figure 13, prevents the parts from being laterally displaced when in fully assembled relation.

In Figure 12 the same construction of extension bracket 31 as that shown in Figures 10 and 11 is used in conjunction with a slightly different form of main bracket generally designated by the numeral 1. This type of bracket does not employ any attachable head rail supporting means, but instead utilizes lanced out lugs M. It will be apparent from an examination of Figure 12 how the extension bracket 31 is attached to the main bracket I, the locking lug 33 being received in the recess at the lower edge of the rear flange 3" of the main bracket l" and the legs 38, 40, and M being disposed on the inner side of the main bracket l" and in engagement with the inner surface of the body 2" while the depending leg 39 is disposed outwardly of the main bracket I" in engagement with the outer surface of the body 2".

Thus it will be apparent that while my form of extension bracket as illustrated in Figures 10 to 12 is designed especially for use with a main bracket employing the attachable head rail supporting means of my invention, my said extension bracket of this form is also adapted to be used with main supporting brackets not having that particular type of head rail supporting means.

It will be noted that when the extension bracket member is assembled in fully attached relation to the main bracket member as seen in Figures 6, l0, and 11, the top flange 23, 280: or 28, 28a rests on the upper edge of the flange 3 or 3' or 3", of the main bracket, in supporting engagement therewith.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main Venetian blind bracket supporting member, a separate extension bracket member, and means for securing said members together including means on the latter member engageable with an upper edge of the first member for supporting said latter member on the first member, and mutually .cooperable locking means on said members.

2. Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, comprising, in combination, a main Venetian blind supporting bracket member, a separate extension bracket member comprising a main body portion, a top mounting flange extending from the body portion at an angle thereto and having a portion extending beyond the body portion, and said latter portion of the top mounting flange having depending leg members cooperable with the main bracket for supporting the extension bracket thereon, and mutually cooperable locking means on said bracket members.

3. In Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, in combination, a main supporting bracket member, a separate extension bracket member, and means on said members for securing the same together, said means including a part on said extension member extending forwardly of the main body thereof and having portions engageable with the upper portion of said main bracket member for supporting the extension member thereon, and mutually coopera ble locking means on said members.

4. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed in claim 3, wherein said portions comprise legs depending from said part, one of said legs engagea-ble with one side portion of said main bracket and another of said legs engageable with an opposite side portion of said bracket.

5. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed in claim 3, wherein said portions comprise legs depending from said part, one of said legs engageable with one side portion of said main bracket and another of said legs engageable with an opposite side portion of said bracket, and wherein said locking means include a locking lug on one of said bracket members, and means on the other bracket member lockingly cooperable therewith.

6. In Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, in combination, a main supporting bracket member, a separate extension bracket member, and means on said members for securing the same together, said means including a part on said extension member extending forwardly ing the same together, said means including a part on said extension member extending forpending legs thereon,

.wardly of the main body thereof and having dea separate Venetian blind h'ead rail supporting member attachable to said ,main bracket member and having a main vertically disposed body portion and parts spaced from th plane thereof and constituting respective bracket member, a separate extension bracket member attachalble to said main member and comprising a main body, a top mounting flange extending from said body at substantially right angles" thereto and having a portion extending forwardly of the body,

bers,a'and mutually cooperable locking means on said flanges, said portiorr cooperating with the flange on the main bracket member and said legs cooperating with the latter to support the extension bracket thereon.

ierable locking v i-berand said depending legs on said I, I portion, abutting flanges on said bracket memchannels for receiving the respective leg memhere between said parts and said body portion of said main bracket member, and mutually coopmeans on said main bracket memextension bracket member.

. ll. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed inclaim. 10 wherein one of said leg members has a flexible locking lug movable into locking en- .kfgagement with said :draivval of said leg parts to prevent upward withmembers from said channel. 12. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed in-claim 9 wherein one of the legs has a relatively movable locking part engageable with said receiving means.

9. A Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, in combination, a main supporting. bracket member, a separate extension bracket member, and means on said members for securing the same together, said means including a part on said extension member extending forwardly of the main body thereof and having de- [pending legs thereon, means on said main bracket member comprising parts spaced from the plane thereof and constituting respective channels for receiving the leg members between said parts and the body of said main bracket member, and mutually cooperable locking means on said members.

10. In Venetian blind bracket means of the class described, in combination, a main supporting bracket member, a separate extension bracket 1-3. Venetian blind bracket means as claimed in "claim 8, wherein the mutually cooperable locking means comprises a slot in one of said abutting 'flanges and an outwardly extending flexible lockmg lug on the other of said flanges cooperable with said slot.

HENRY B. CHATFIELD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

. member, and means on said members for secur- 9 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,322,811 Moore Nov. 25, 1919 1,845,857 Ward Feb. 16, 1932 2,039,538 Kirsch May 5, 19% 

